Ornithology Terms Quiz

Name:

Date:

Instructions: Test your knowledge of bird science vocabulary, from feather types and flight mechanics to migration patterns and nesting behaviors.

1.
What does 'ornithology' study?
A
Reptiles
B
Birds
C
Mammals
D
Fish
2.
What is 'plumage'?
A
The covering of feathers on a bird
B
The sound a bird makes
C
A bird's beak
D
A bird's nest
3.
What does 'migration' refer to in ornithology?
A
A bird searching for food
B
The seasonal movement of birds from one region to another
C
A bird learning to fly
D
A bird building its nest
4.
What is a 'raptor'?
A
A bird of prey, such as an eagle, hawk, or falcon
B
A flightless bird
C
A small songbird
D
A water bird
5.
What does 'preening' involve?
A
Building a nest
B
Singing to attract a mate
C
A bird using its beak to clean, arrange, and waterproof its feathers
D
Hunting for food
6.
What is a 'brood'?
A
A large flock of birds
B
A group of young birds hatched at one time from a single clutch of eggs
C
A nesting site
D
A type of bird call
7.
What does 'fledgling' mean?
A
A young bird that has recently grown flight feathers and is learning to fly
B
A bird that cannot fly
C
An egg about to hatch
D
A very old bird
8.
What is a bird's 'gizzard'?
A
Its crop for storing food
B
A muscular part of the stomach that grinds food, often with swallowed grit
C
Its voice box
D
Its wing joint
9.
What does 'clutch' refer to in ornithology?
A
A group of eggs laid at one time in a nest
B
A bird gripping a branch
C
A bird's talons
D
A type of bird song
10.
What is 'molting'?
A
The periodic shedding and replacement of feathers
B
A type of flight pattern
C
The building of a nest
D
A bird's mating dance
11.
What does 'passerine' refer to?
A
A member of the largest order of birds, commonly known as perching birds or songbirds
B
A nocturnal bird
C
A sea bird
D
A flightless bird
12.
What is 'birding'?
A
Hunting birds
B
Raising birds in captivity
C
The hobby of observing and identifying birds in their natural habitat
D
Training birds to talk
13.
What are 'talons'?
A
The beak of a parrot
B
Feathers on a bird's tail
C
The webbed feet of a duck
D
The sharp claws of a bird of prey used for catching and holding food
14.
What does 'avian' mean?
A
Related to mammals
B
Related to fish
C
Related to insects
D
Related to birds
15.
What is a 'rookery'?
A
A single bird's nest
B
A colony of breeding birds, especially penguins or rooks
C
A birdhouse in a garden
D
A flock of migrating birds

Answer Key

Question 1

B. Birds

Question 2

A. The covering of feathers on a bird

Question 3

B. The seasonal movement of birds from one region to another

Question 4

A. A bird of prey, such as an eagle, hawk, or falcon

Question 5

C. A bird using its beak to clean, arrange, and waterproof its feathers

Question 6

B. A group of young birds hatched at one time from a single clutch of eggs

Question 7

A. A young bird that has recently grown flight feathers and is learning to fly

Question 8

B. A muscular part of the stomach that grinds food, often with swallowed grit

Question 9

A. A group of eggs laid at one time in a nest

Question 10

A. The periodic shedding and replacement of feathers

Question 11

A. A member of the largest order of birds, commonly known as perching birds or songbirds

Question 12

C. The hobby of observing and identifying birds in their natural habitat

Question 13

D. The sharp claws of a bird of prey used for catching and holding food

Question 14

D. Related to birds

Question 15

B. A colony of breeding birds, especially penguins or rooks

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